WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative
Overview
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative is a new WHO Initiative, launched in June 2025, which aims to advance health equity for persons with disabilities.
There are more than 1.3 billion persons with disabilities in the world. Despite this large number, persons with disabilities remain among the most marginalized population groups globally. Many experience a range of health inequities, including earlier deaths, poorer health and higher disease risk. These health inequities are unfair and avoidable outcomes driven by barriers in the health sector and beyond. Together, we can build a future where health equity for persons with disabilities is not just a goal, but a reality.
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Join our Network
Application deadline: 30 September 2025
Vision
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative envisions health equity for persons with disabilities.
Mission
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative aims to close the avoidable health gaps between persons with disabilities and the broader population.
Strategic areas
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative aims to achieve progress in 4 strategic areas:
Build leadership on health equity among persons with disabilities
Elevate health equity for persons with disabilities as a political priority in health
Create a disability inclusive health sector
Establish robust indicators, evidence and monitoring
Milestones
Announcement
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative was announced by Dr Tedros at the Global Disability Summit in April 2025. The Summit, organized by the Governments of Jordan and Germany, and the International Disability Alliance, represented a key opportunity to catalyse the political priority needed to advance health equity for persons with disabilities.
Launch event
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative was launched on 10 June 2025, during an official side event of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the United Nations Headquarters, New York. High-level representatives from Member States and key health and disability stakeholders discussed its importance and priorities.
Network membership
The call for membership applications to join the Network of the WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative is now open.
How the Initiative will take action
The WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative will operate through 4 types of engagement:
- Network
- Country coordination and support
- Private sector engagement
- Technical guidance
These types of engagement will directly support Member States and other stakeholders to achieve the mission.
Resources
Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities
An estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of global population worldwide – experience a significant disability today. Persons with disabilities...
Health equity for persons with disabilities: guide for action
The Health equity for persons with disabilities: guide for action (or Disability inclusion guide for action) provides practical guidance on the process...
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